Lecture 6
Social Responsibility Business Commitments To Stakeholders Stakeholders Affected: –Groups –Individuals –Organizations
Stakeholders
Evolving Social Consciousness 1930s – 1940s 1960s – 1970s 1980s – 1990s John D. Rockefeller J. P. Morgan Cornelius Vanderbilt Vietnam War Social Activism Laissez-Faire Corporate Scandals Increased Gov’t Control Tighter Standards
Social Responsibility Environment Customer Employees Investors
Social Responsibility - Environment Pollution –Air (emission of carbon monoxide) –Water –Land Improve quality Prevention of future contamination Toxic Waste Recycling
Consumer Rights Safe Products Informed About Product To Be Heard Choose What To Buy To Be Educated Courteous Service
Unfair Pricing Collusion –Two firms collaborate on price fixing Gouging –Price above the market price when no other retailer is available
Advertising Ethics Food Product Labeling –Light, reduced calorie, diet, low fat Misleading Product Claims Deceptive Morally Objectionable
Employer Commitments To Employee Job Skills Respect & Compassion –Nondiscrimination –Equal Opportunities –Physically & Socially Safe Workplace
Whistleblowers Employees who detect and tries to put an end to company’s unethical, illegal, socially irresponsible action by publicizing them
Responsibility To Investors Improper Financial Management Check Kiting Insider Trading Financial Misrepresentation- GAAP
Social Responsibility Approaches/Stances Obstructionist –Do as little as possible –Deny or cover actions –Little regards to ethics Defensive –What is required legally
Social Responsibility Approaches/Stances Accommodative –Meets standards but will go further in certain cases Proactive –Actively participates in CSR Low Level High Level Obstructionist DefensiveAccommodativeProactive
Social Responsibility Auditing Success of Program Starts At Top Requires Management Support –Set %age of profits for social programmes Single Manager In Charge Conduct Social Audits –Systematic analysis of the firms success in using funds to meet its obligation